With its expansive, immersive settings, intricate storylines, and endless hours of gameplay, open world adventure games have established themselves as a staple in the gaming industry. These games are praised for their inventive gameplay, captivating narratives, and open-world exploration. In this article, we examine the top five best open world adventure games that have had a big impact on the genre.
The 5 Best Open World Adventure Games
- 5
Horizon Zero Dawn
Release Year: 2017
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC
Mode: Single Player
Developers: Guerrilla Games
Features:
- Unique post-apocalyptic world with robotic creatures
- Engaging combat system with traps, bows, and melee
- Rich storyline and character development
- Stunning visuals and diverse environments
- Extensive crafting and resource management
“Horizon Zero Dawn” is distinguished by its distinct fusion of futuristic and primal features. In a world overtaken by synthetic creatures, players take control of Aloy, a teenage hunter looking to learn more about her history. The battle system in the game is very creative; in order to defeat mechanical beasts, players must tactically employ a range of weapons and traps.
“Horizon Zero Dawn” is an open world with breathtaking graphics that bring a variety of settings to life, from lush woods to barren deserts. Players are drawn into Aloy’s adventure as she discovers the mysteries of her world and her own identity thanks to the compelling plot and well-developed characters.
With the help of a robust crafting and resource management system, players can assemble a wide range of tools, traps, and healing supplies. Players now have to carefully manage their resources and plan their attacks, which adds another degree of strategy to the action.The planet is home to a wide range of mechanical and biological animals, as well as dynamic weather patterns and day-night cycles. Every scene in the game feels alive and engaging because of this attention to detail. In the action adventure open world games genre, “Horizon Zero Dawn” stands out for providing a distinctive and engaging experience.
“Horizon Forbidden West,” the game’s sequel, promises even more broad settings and intricate storylines as it builds on these qualities. For open world adventure games in the future, this series has established a new standard.
- 4
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Release Year: 2018
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Mode: Single Player
Developers: Ubisoft Quebec
Features:
- Vast open world set in ancient Greece
- Branching dialogue and multiple endings
- Naval combat and exploration
- Extensive RPG elements with skill trees and gear customization
- Rich historical context
During the Peloponnesian War, “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” transports players to ancient Greece in an epic adventure. Gamers can take on the roles of mercenaries with an enigmatic ancestry named Kassandra or Alexios. The game creates a fascinating environment for exploration and adventure by fusing legendary aspects with historical realism.
“Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” is an expansive and exquisitely designed open world that includes well-known places like Athens, Sparta, and the island of Crete. Numerous endings and a branching dialogue system guarantee that player decisions have a big influence on the plot and the characters’ outcomes. This degree of decision-making and consequence provides a significant replay value.
In “Odyssey,” naval combat is back, giving players the ability to steer their own ship, the Adrestia, and take part in thrilling maritime conflict. Players can customize their character’s appearance and skills to fit their playstyle with the help of the rich RPG components, which include a robust skill tree and gear customization system.Players can experience the politics, culture, and wars of ancient Greece through the game’s well-researched rich historical backdrop. Engaging with historical personalities like Leonidas and Socrates enhances the immersion and authenticity of the experience.
- 3
Red Dead Redemption 2
Release Year: 2018
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Developers: Rockstar Games
Mode: Both single player and multi player
Features:
- Expansive, lifelike world
- Deep, emotionally-driven narrative
- Realistic weather and wildlife behavior
- Extensive customization options
- Rich multiplayer mode (Red Dead Online)
The immersive experience of “Red Dead Redemption 2” by Rockstar Games transports players to the American frontier at the turn of the 20th century. As Arthur Morgan, a gang member from Van der Linde, players navigate a world that is changing quickly. With an emphasis on player decisions and consequences, the game excels in constructing a realistic and dynamic environment.
“Red Dead Redemption 2” features an incredibly intricate and realistic open world. Every place, from the peaceful countryside to the busy towns, has a vibrant, dynamic atmosphere. With storms rolling in and animals going about their daily lives, the realistic weather and wildlife behavior heighten the immersion.
The story is a complicated and intensely emotional account of loyalty, treachery, and redemption. The decisions made by the player impact Arthur Morgan’s journey, shaping his interactions with other characters and his surroundings. Players can personalize Arthur’s look and gear with a wide range of personalization options.Apart from the campaign for one player, “Red Dead Online” provides an extensive multiplayer experience. Gamers can go on cooperative missions, compete in game modes, or just explore the planet with their buddies. There’s always something fresh to experience thanks to the online mode’s constant updates and enhancements.
The game’s wide variety of activities, which include poker, duels, hunting, and fishing, all demonstrate how much attention to detail has gone into them. The thorough design of every task enhances the world’s realism and complexity. “Red Dead Redemption 2” is an open world game design masterwork that elevates the genre to new heights. - 2
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Release Year: 2015
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
Developers: CD Projekt Red
Mode: Single Player
Features:
- Massive, detailed open world
- Deep, branching narrative
- Dynamic combat system with magic and swordplay
- Extensive side quests and monster contracts
- Rich lore and character development
Many people consider “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” to be among the best adventure open world games ever created. Put yourself in the shoes of seasoned monster hunter Geralt of Rivia as you traverse the Continent’s war-torn landscapes. The game’s story is deep and engaging, and it features a ton of side missions that frequently match the main plot’s complexity and depth.
From the bustling streets of Novigrad to the hauntingly gorgeous Skellige Isles, “The Witcher 3” offers an expansive and painstakingly detailed open world. Every area is teeming with unique personalities, buried riches, and formidable beasts. Players can move between swordplay, magic, and alchemy with ease because of the dynamic combat system, which offers a number of approaches to defeating enemies.
The storyline of the game is among its best features. There are various possible outcomes based on the decisions players make, all of which have a substantial impact on the world and its inhabitants. Monster contracts and side missions are just as interesting, frequently with complex storylines and moral dilemmas. Every contact has significance because of the deep mythology and character development that entices players deeper into the game universe.In addition, the game has a dynamic weather system and day-night cycle that impact the landscape and gameplay. While darkness brings forth new species and challenges, rain can make it difficult to move about and see. This degree of detail heightens the sense of immersion and gives “The Witcher 3″‘s world a genuine sense of life.
- 1
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Release Year: 2017
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Mode: Single Player
Developers: Nintendo EPD
Features:
- Vast open world with diverse environments
- Dynamic weather system and day-night cycle
- Physics-based gameplay
- Extensive crafting and cooking system
- Rich, non-linear story
The open world adventure game genre was completely transformed by “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” thanks to its amazing graphics and creative gameplay. Players take on the role of Link, who awakens from a century-long sleep to battle Calamity Ganon and save Princess Zelda in this game, which is set in the vast realm of Hyrule. Players are encouraged to experiment and explore the game, which gives them endless ways to approach obstacles.
The physics-based gameplay in “Breath of the Wild” is one of its best qualities. Whether it’s manipulating the wind to glide to previously unreachable places or pushing stones down a slope to eliminate foes, players can take advantage of the environment. Another level of complexity is added by the crafting and cooking system, which lets players make meals and potions that improve their skills and well-being.
Players are further drawn into the Hyrulean world by the dynamic weather system and day-night cycle. While metal weapons can attract lightning during thunderstorms, rain can make climbing surfaces slick. The game seems alive and surprising at every turn because of this attention to detail. Players are free to approach the major quests at their own pace and find side missions and hidden secrets as they go thanks to the intricate, non-linear plot.
Noteworthy is the game’s graphical style, which combines realistic physics with cel-shaded images to produce an amazing visual experience. In the open world adventure genre, “Breath of the Wild” is a landmark title because of its unmatched sense of freedom and exploration.
These five best open world adventure games each provide a different experience, ranging from the wild frontiers of America to the post-apocalyptic Earth’s robot-infested wilderness to the legendary landscapes of ancient Greece. These games are indispensable for every lover of the genre, regardless of whether you’re looking for strategic combat, intricate storylines, or just the ability to explore large, detailed environments. Since each game pushes the limits of what open world adventure games can accomplish, they establish the bar for upcoming releases in this always-changing genre.
Not only do critics highly praise these games, but millions of players all across the world also adore them. They serve as examples of the storytelling and exploration potential of video games, offering experiences that are both intensely private and publicly accessible. These games provide something for everyone, regardless of experience level, and they represent the pinnacle of open-world adventure gaming.